Definition of "object" in English

noun

1. A thing that has physical existence but is not alive.

2. Objective; goal, end or purpose of something.

   • 2000, Phyllis Barkas Goldman & John Grigni, Monkeyshines on Ancient Cultures The object of tlachtli was to keep the rubber ball from touching the ground while trying to push it to the opponent's endline.

3. (grammar) The noun phrase which is an internal complement of a verb phrase or a prepositional phrase. In a verb phrase with a transitive action verb, it is typically the receiver of the action.

4. A person or thing toward which an emotion is directed.

   • Mary Jane had been the object of Peter's affection for years.
   • The convertible, once the object of his desire, was now the object of his hatred.
   • Where's your object of ridicule now?

5. (object-oriented programming) An instantiation of a class or structure.

6. (category theory) An instance of one of the two kinds of entities that form a category, the other kind being the arrows (also called morphisms).

   • Similarly, there is a category whose objects are groups and whose arrows are the homomorphisms from one group to another.

7. (obsolete) Sight; show; appearance; aspect.

   • c. 1610s, George Chapman, Batrachomyomachia He, advancing close / Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose / In glorious object.

verb

1. (intransitive) To disagree with or oppose something or someone; (especially in a Court of Law) to raise an objection.

   • I object to the proposal to build a new airport terminal.
   • We strongly object to sending her to jail for ten years.

2. (transitive, obsolete) To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.

3. (transitive, obsolete) To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.

   • early 17th century, Edward Fairfax, Godfrey of Bulloigne: or The recovery of Jerusalem. Of less account some knight thereto object, / Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.
   • c. 1678, Richard Hooker, a sermon some strong impediment or other objecting itself